We've just finished our basement, and I was able to set aside a new room as our dedicated Home Theatre. It's on the small side, about 11 1/2 feet by 20 feet by about 8 feet tall, so just under 2000 Cubic Feet. I've already purchesed the receiver I'm going to use, the Onkyo TX-NR717, which puts out 125W per channel (6 ohms).

I've always planned on getting an Axiom speaker setup, mostly due to the excellent reviews I've ready, but also to support a Canadian company (I'm from Canada of course), and also because I've actually had a chance to see their manufacturing facility (the company I work for has a business relationship with them). Up to now I've been planning on getting the Epic 60/350 7.1 setup, but after doing some more research, I'm beginging to think that the Epic 50/ 350 or 500 might be better. Can anyone give me some thoughts? I'm leaning towards the 50/500 to take advantage of the DSP. We mainly watch Sci-Fi and Action movies, and I'd really like to get some of that very low rumble, like the first TRex scene in the original Jurassic Park

So, firstly, for my size room, is the Epic 50 a better choice than the Epic 60, with the smaller surrounds and M50's instead of M60's?

My thought would be to go with the 60s and a 500 for the sub...holding off on the two back channels. Many find that there's not a very big difference between 5.1 and 7.1 (though that's room dependent) and, in either case, you could choose to add two more speakers later if you feel something is lacking.

I'd heard the same about 5.1 vs 7.1 but a short while ago had a chance to sit down and listen to a friend of mines 7.1 setup using the Onkyo TX-NR709 (which is why I chose to go with the 719). For some reason I noticed quite a bit of difference in some of my favorite movies going to 7.1I think it's mostly the source material I was using, being the heavily special effects type movies we watch.

My room is about the same size as yours Patrique - 12 x 18. I have rear surrounds, and would recommend the rear surrounds to anyone. I am also using M60's, a VP160, 2 EP500's and I also have height and width channels in this room. The width channels are hit and miss and totally dependent on the source material. I rarely use them. I do however like the height channels and use DD PLZ primarily. I use QS8's for the surrounds and height channels - so I have six of them in this little room.

Having experimented with different speakers and amps in my room quite a bit, if you have the means, I suggest you go 7.1 with a EP 500, M60's, a VP160 and QS-8's. It will not be too much.

Unless I am sitting in the 2nd row of seats (basically behind the side surrounds and in front of the rear surrounds), the two rear channels aren't to terribly noticeable unless I bump up their dB a little, and then it ends up too loud for the 2nd row people.

I am glad that I have them, but more for giving a larger surround field than noticably hearing those extra discrete channels.

Also, Mark is right on the ball with the VP160. I have the VP180 (purchased before the VP160 came out) and it is a huge improvement over the VP150 (which I had good success with too). The center channel being the most important in the home theater, it is not something to skimp on and the VP160 will fit the bill VERY nicely.

Okay, I'm now leaning back towards the Epic60 but with the 500 sub instead of the 350. Think I'll probably stick with the 150 centre that comes with it though... Considering the narrow width of the room, I might downsize the sides/rears to the QS4's instead of the QS8's though.

However, keep in mind. You don't need to buy everything all in one shot. You can buy pieces slowly, over time. I would start with the M60's and center either the 160 or 180. Then add a sub, then the surrounds last. Also, you can buy B stock. The B stock items and indistinguishable to the average person over A stock.